Authors:
Calogero C, Simpson SJ, Lombardi E, Parri N, Cuomo B, Palumbo M, de Martino M, Shackleton C, Verheggen M, Gavidia T, Franklin PJ, Kusel MM, Park J, Sly PD, Hall GL
Authors notes:
Pediatric Pulmonology. 2012;48(7):707-715
Keywords:
Bronchodilator, Children, Forced oscillation technique, Lung function, Reference values
Abstract:
The forced oscillation technique (FOT) can be used in children as young as 2 years of age and in those unable to perform routine spirometry.
There is limited information on changes in FOT outcomes in healthy children beyond the preschool years and the level of bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in healthy children.
We aimed to create reference ranges for respiratory impedance outcomes collated from multiple centers.
Outcomes included respiratory system resistance (R rs) and reactance (X rs), resonant frequency (Fres), frequency dependence of R rs (Fdep), and the area under the reactance curve (AX).
We also aimed to define the physiological effects of bronchodilators in a large population of healthy children using the FOT.
Regression analysis showed that R rs, X rs, and AX outcomes were dependent on height and sex.
The BDR cut-offs by absolute change in R rs8, X rs8, and AX were -2.74hPasL -1, 1.93hPasL -1, and -33hPasL -1, respectively.
These corresponded to relative and Z-score changes of -32%; -1.85 for R rs8, 65%; 1.95 for X rs8, and -82%; -2.04 for AX.
We have established generalizable reference ranges for respiratory impedance and defined cut-offs for a positive bronchodilator response using the FOT in healthy children.